Footing #3 - Character (of example)

One of the most powerful, life-giving stories you will ever read in God’s Word is the story of Joseph. No one has ever had to be as patient as Joseph with everything that he endured. Injustice after injustice after injustice did not keep him from faithfully serving the Lord, no matter what the circumstances. He is a model of Godly character for every Christian to emulate! Joseph shows us how to respond and not react to difficult people and damaging circumstances. The average person would have grown bitter and disenchanted with God, but not Joseph. He was able to “do his very best” whether in prison, in the home of a prestigious Egyptian leader, or in the palace of the king himself. When his circumstances got worse, his character got better. When he got “taken advantage of,” he focused on the next task at hand without wavering. He IS the model for you as a husband, wife, father, mother, or sibling to follow. Through all of the pain and rejection, he showed forgiveness to those who had harmed him. Joseph is a “type of Christ!” He demonstrated unbelievable forgiveness to his brothers who had sold him into slavery. When you think of our sins “nailing Jesus to The Cross,” you cannot help but be overwhelmed with gratitude. Joseph demonstrated that he was an example of this kind of love before the coming of Christ to die for us. There is no doubt that Joseph struggled through all the injustices that came his way, but he never wavered from his commitment to God. He didn’t allow his circumstances to affect his character. In fact, the more difficult the circumstance, the more faithful to God he became. Ultimately, he demonstrated unfathomable trust in God’s plan. Sometimes you cannot see God’s plan unfolding, so it’s easy to get frustrated and impatient. In these moments, remember the story of Joseph. In these moments, commit to be like Joseph. In these moments, others are watching…including your family. The fact is that how we handle disrespectful people and discouraging circumstances has power to shape our kid’s faith in one direction or the other. See your obstacles as opportunities knowing that responding or reacting has direct consequences for your family.